Stay tuned for a possible January '08 launch of practices.
Opponent: Fever Pitch
Scouting Report: This should be a spirited game, it always seems to be when we play Fever Pitch. This is one of the worst running teams we will play, but continue to keep up the good work getting the ball into the infield like we did against the Bull Dawgs. There is definitely room for improvement, though as there were a couple times we should have gotten the ball in sooner to prevent runners from moving up on the play. Also, outfielders, try to be a bit more aggressive in going after the ball so that you have a better opportunity to catch it or back up the other outfielder on the play. We need to exploit the weak spots in their lineup and turn them into automatic outs. We caught one of their players last week trying to score. Watch for their big third baseman to hit deep to right. Play their team with a staggered outfield as this helped last week.
On the pitching side, if they put in the dark haired lady who started last game, wait for your pitch as she pitches an awful lot of balls. If she gets it over the plate for you, drive it hard the opposite way if you can as they are vulnerable in right field.
Don't forget your ID!
Anyone else have anything to add?
Please email me with whether or not you'll be there.
Opponent: Bull Dawgs
Game Summary: Another game against the Bull Dawgs, another narrow loss.
Our team: We continue to narrow our losses to them, last time we lost 12-10, so perhaps we'll beat them next time (in the playoffs?). The cool weather definitely had an effect and may partially explain why we scored under 10 runs for the first time this season. There were some bright spots to the game though. Our team hit two home runs in the same inning for the first time in our history, Chris struck out a good number, Shaaniin made a terrific catch on a foul pop-up, and we continued to rally even when down by a number of runs.
Their Team: Played solidly as usual. However, we were able to hold them more often than in times past and they scored 2 runs less this time. They like to find out early in the game where our weak spots are by hitting it everywhere. When they find these weaknesses, they will exploit them. We saw that here where they hammered it to center field between our fielders and then came out and hit right down the line, landing the ball in front of our fielders. We'll get them next time...
Opponent: Farm Bureau Dozen
Game Summary: We narrowly lost to the first place team this week in a close game that pushed us to the limit. We'll get them next time, we play them 2 more times this year. Please email me your observations both on how we played and how they played.
Opponent: Fever Pitch
Game Summary: Our team: We played much better defense this game although we need to work on getting it in to the infield quicker and making quick, accurate, strong throws in the infield.
Their Team: We've played this team before under a different name. They have the guy who showed up drunk to one of our games and was picking a fight with Chris and Vinny. We got him out trying to score and Chris struck him out, so we were able to contain him fairly well this time. They have a few weak spots in their line up, but didn't run particularly well. I think with a tighter defense, we'll be able to turn more double plays on them and get them trying to score. Their starting shortstop/coach was injured in the game and came on to pitch later in the game. He cannot hit very far, and we should stay a bit shorter on him. Another big guy on their team (not the third baseman) can hit, but runs very slowly and is usually pinch run for. Their third baseman is a big guy who likes to hit it very deep to right. Generally, a staggered outfield is a good line of defense against their team.
They are most vulnerable on defense. They have one woman who is quite quick and started out at 1st base before moving to left field. We should have tried hitting it to right, but we didn't. Their starting pitcher was a shorter woman with dark hair. She was new to pitching and threw lots of balls. Take pitches until you find the perfect one to hit hard.
Opponent: Bull Dawgs
Game Summary: Our team: Had one horrible inning where we allowed seven runs, only getting one out. It was a team effort where we missed fly balls, grounders, didn't make good throws, and it got out of hand. We tightened up our defense afterwards and pulled within one run, but ultimately fell short.
Their team: It's the Bull Dawgs. They don't have a weak point in their lineup or their defense. At the beginning of the game, they were extremely lazy, however, and we were able to score some runs that way. Their Left Center fielder was particularly vulnerable, but he eventually turned up his defense. Many of their players can place hit and they usually aim for down the lines. Some of the women tried to go short up the middle occasionally, but we only were able to catch about half of these as they were in tricky spots. Their women don't have as much power, but they get on by hitting it where we aren't. We need to work on getting to the ball quicker and perhaps soon enough to make a play. Fairly aggressive on the base paths.
Their pitcher likes to throw it inside and try to get it to curve over the plate. He is not always successful, but the umpire was rather lenient towards this and called several near misses as strikes.
Opponent: thecoolchurch.com (0 wins, 0 losses)
Game Summary: Our team: Baserunning! We need help here. Didn't run very well. We also need to work on calling the ball and also calling the play. THEIR TEAM: 1b on their team hesitates twice. Once when the ball is thrown to her, and once when she catches the ball. This led to a lot of errors as she would miss the ball quite a bit. Always run hard on her and be prepared to take second base. Once she caught the ball, she was unsure of what to do. The sun may have been a factor as well, but we should be able to take advantage of the hesitation. Their catcher couldn't catch. She would sort of stand their not really knowing what to do. They didn't start covering for her until later in the game. Be aggressive in going for home, more often than not, they'll drop it. Their pitcher did have a pretty good slider and got us to foul it or hit it weakly. Fairly accurate, had a high arch. He pitched the slider almost exclusively. Also, he had trouble fielding grounders to him. Their ladies didn't hit well. Their coach, Shelly, was probably the best woman hitter on the team. They did have 2 guys who could hit well, one is very tall with a dark beard.